Iranian Coach Orders Wrestler to Lose to Russian Because of What Would Happen to Him if He Won

An Iranian wrestling team is facing an investigation by the sport’s global governing body amid allegations a competitor was instructed to throw a match against a Russian wrestler.

According to The Times of Israel, the Iranian coaches are believed to have told Ali Reza Karimi to take a dive in his bout against Alikhan Zhabrailov based on the nation’s hostility toward Israel.

Had Karimi won the match, he would have gone on to face Israeli competitor Uri Kalashnikov. Iran has frequently prevented its athletes from competing against Israelis, citing the adversarial relationship between the two nations.

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Karimi reportedly acknowledged he was given the order to let Zhabrailov win the match, which took place in Poland during the U-23 World Championships, according to USA Today.

Iranian wrestler Alireza Karimi about to beat Russian, but will have to face Israeli next round. His coach his calling him from the sidelines, telling him to “lose.” Iran forbids its athletes to play Israeli’s. Iranian wrestler gives up. pic.twitter.com/nX9KHaH8Jn

The wrestler said he had trained tirelessly for a world championship title, adding that receiving such a medal is “the only happiness for any of us.”

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Video footage of the match purportedly corroborates the wrestler’s account, showing a coach tell him in Persian that he “must lose” to Zhabrailov despite apparently getting the better of his opponent early on in the match.

Social media users across the Middle East and beyond reacted to the controversy as both critics and supporters of the Iranian coaches’ alleged instructions using the hashtag #YouMustLose to share their thoughts.

United World Wrestling confirmed it is reviewing the matter from a legal and ethical standpoint and will issue a recommendation to agency officials when the investigation has concluded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed in on the controversy in a video uploaded to Facebook on Monday.

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“I never imagined I’d say this, but I think Iran’s hostility to Israel can be summed up by the experience of a single Iranian wrestler named Ali Reza,” he said.

Netanyahu lamented Iranian policy preventing its athletes from competing against Israelis, though he said it is “not surprising given that the regime in Tehran calls for the destruction of all Israelis, the destruction of Israel.”

While he remained defiant in the face of Iran’s threats, assuring citizens that “we won’t let that happen,” he said Iranians are also paying a price for their nation’s hostilities.

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“So I have an idea,” he said, encouraging viewers to record themselves in an athletic competition with individuals of a different ethnicity or nationality.

“I want you to compete like hell,” Netanyahu said. “We’re all for competition. Then I want you to shake hands, go out for a drink together, and then upload this to the social media.”

Responding in this way, he said, will send the message to Iran and others that hatred of those who are different “only makes you a pathetic and insecure loser.”